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K O A L I T A 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

And the day has arrived! Koalita Party's 3rd anniversary.

In 2011 I launched the first online shop of Koalita Craft. Koalita Craft on Etsy started as a brand for children.  At the beginning of 2013 Koalita Craft became  Koalita Party that is now more than a brand for children. It's a business without age range. New brand, new design, new goals but the same genuine mission: Making life more colourful and happier people.

These last 3 years were full of joy with the birth of my two daughters. Laura in October 2011 and Clara in October 2013. There wasn't much time for business but always replied in the best way possible to custom orders, holiday seasons and reasonable needs.

2014 is definitely the year to start a new cycle. And Koalita Craft blog and Koalita Party shop are on the top of the list. There's a lot to celebrate for what was accomplished but there's much more ahead. New products, brand new party packs and a long way to enter the wedding and events industry for good.

Do I have fears? Doubts? Yes! But I know that I'm not alone, my family, friends, customers, YOU, support and believe in me. I believe in ME and in my DREAMS. And it feels so right when someone contacts KP sharing their dreams and hopes so I can turn them alive. It feels so right when people thanks for promoting their work and effort.

YES! Hopefully I will be here in one year time celebrating again with all of you and more...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Big thanks to all of you!

Note: There's an awesome anniversary giveaway running here on the blog. Please don't hesitate in entering.

VALENTINE'S DAY WEDDING

Still on a Valentine mood... 

I'm not a huge fan of Valentine's Day as it is, to be honest. We should  show our appreciation to the ones we love every single day of the year. Although, the Valentine's Day turned to be very special to me 5 years ago, when I found my soul mate.Yes, on Valentine's Day I will celebrate 5 years of a beautiful love story with two amazing gifts - our two gorgeous daughters.

Me and my love haven't given the knot yet. I believe that, when we do, an inspiring board like the one I'm sharing today, may even be the theme of our official marriage. Enjoy!

[ source: 

DIY Love letters / Bride photograph / Stationary / Drink stirrers / Hearts bouquet / Bridesmaid bracelet / Carpet of rose petals ]

A BOUQUET THAT LASTS FOREVER

Valentine's day is just around the corner. It's so good when we make someone we love smile. A Bunch of flowers is a  winner  on this. The bad thing of it is that one week after flowers are dead and the gift we chose with special care and attention goes to the bin. It's simply not fair!

I have the solution! Here's a few bouquets that last forever.

[ source ]

PREPARING FOR CLARA!

Hello there! It has been very difficult to keep on working and meet all the needs that the arrival of a new baby and pregnancy require. With 37 weeks I guess it's time to slow down, don't you think?

Christmas collection is almost ready and everything will be available on the second fortnight of November. Stay tuned with our Facebook page to get all the news in first hand!

Our Etsy and Folksy shops will be closed from 7th October to the middle of November.

If you spot a piece that you would love to have on your holidays season just let me know by contacting through our Facebook page or email. I will make an extra effort to send your order immediately after the shops are opened but before any coming order due to the reopening.

However, Koalita Craft blog will just return next year. So... I'm wishing you all a spooky Halloween, a cosy Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope I can see you here in 2014! Have yourself a lovely time! :)

GUEST POST: Reclaim, Recycle, Reuse

This month I bring you a selection of different products that, in one way or another, fall into the Reclaim, Recycle, Reuse category.

They may actually be made of reclaimed materials or simply aged to make them look like they do.

Current design trends make these items particularly appealing for today's design savvy customers. Not only do these products appeal to the sustainable/organic/environment conscious market but they also fit the growing interest for industrial themes in fashion and interior design trends.

Many new cafés, high street shops and even homes are adopting this Organic/Industrial look, sticking to a minimalistic palette of white, black, grays and browns.

Reclaimed wood, reused objects and mismatch vintage furniture all add a certain industrial Victorian charm that contrasts with sleek, brand new materials. Their imperfections and patine provide a certain human, old style character that no new material could provide.

The use of reclaimed, recycled and reused materials often achieves a somewhat surprisingly refreshing compromise between warm and minimalistic, cosy and functional, natural and hygienic, as well as modern and traditional.

Modern industrial wood coffee table from reclaimed old  by  J Libby

Oak wood bike hanger elk by Reinis Salins

 Summer/spring fashion brown gray pants by NATA Kisch

Chevron pendant necklace by Kristen

 Modern reclaimed old growth dresser by Blake Avenue

 Floating shelf rustic reclaimed wood by Lisa and Lars

 Reclaimed barn wood chandelier by Cassidy Brush

 Detox 100 natural soap gift set by Julia and Alex

 Reclaimed barn siding and steel desk by John Mihovetz

Handmade reclaimed wooden hand painted side table by Chase Reid

Primitive wood sign old junk by Jill Hawkins

Minimalist wood sculpture by Paul Foeckler

Large desk organizer wood office organizer by Less and more

Enamel bowl tilted standing wood table lamp by Re' em Eyal

Birch bark table lamp by Ben Herbstreit

Advertising wood crate by Heidi

TREASURY FRIDAY

Today I'm celebrating the new look of Koalita Gifts Etsy shop with this "Fabulous in orange and mint" collection. Please celebrate with us! You're very welcome to visit Koalita Gifts. Thank you!

TREASURY FRIDAY

Well, last Friday I made a special pink treasury to celebrate all the pink in the house. A friend saw it and said: "It's a shame I don't have a bit of pink in this house but I love my blues above all things". Reading this I immediately promised her that I would make a treasury specially for her blues and here it is "Making my friend's sons happy!"! I hope my friend and all mothers with a predominance of blues enjoy this collection.

ALL ABOUT... the Bermuda triangle

Happy, colourful, hot as a holiday in the Bermuda triangle! Enjoy, it's time for a break!

1 - Square shaped bangle by Judit Wild
2 - Party flag crochet bracelet by Silayaya
3 - Wood brooch geometry triangle laser cut by Yuriy and katerina
4 - Lolly metal cuff bracelet by Beth De Hart
5 - Triangles geometric pattern notecards by Noemi
6 - Wallet "Svilla" by Pikfine

TREASURY FRIDAY

A new princess is arriving to our kingdom. I'm so happy that Laura is going to have a sister to share secrets, make men's life miserable (joking) and daddy's task of trying to keep them under his wings more difficult.. That I made this "Making my daughters happy" treasury! Hope you enjoy it!

ALL ABOUT... Let's travel the world!

My love for travelling and adventure... I miss long journeys, forgetting the time and getting "lost". I know, it's difficult to get lost nowadays but not knowing where we are even if only for a moment give us the awesome sense of real freedom.

1 - "Hello adventure" print by Girl from blue skies
2 - Battered Fiat car miniature by Sophia Andreas
3 - Travelling brooch by Dianthusa
4 - Let's travel the world globe necklace by Anne Emma
5 - Travel bag in leather by Carey Liang
6 - Paper airplane earrings in wood by Press Send

GUEST POST: Summer is finally here!....

It's 42º today. I'm in Lisbon visiting family and I can't think. My body is too busy sweating. The "be careful what you wish for" thing feels very true right now: I longed for hot sunny days all winter but now I am longing for London's cool nights again! 

I am unable to write much this time. Apart from sweating my body's other favourite activities are nodding and bathing in cold water, just any cold water. None of these are very productive but try and run your business with 42º days and 32º nights... it's like living inside soup!

In order to save my energies for refrigerating related activities, I leave you a selection of summer related works by some of my favourite Etsy illustrators: Bold graphics, outdoor life, bright colours, happy themes, flowers and birds. And not a single drop of sweat, bliss!

Enjoy and have a Happy Summer !  

Today will be great by Eszter Schall

 Flora and Succulents Print by Nicola

Limited Edition "Bright Fish" wall art by Faye Bradley

Riding bike on the streets by Tali Yalonetzki

Sky in the Sea original screen print by Lisa Stubbs

Illustration: Clothes hanging by Maruta

Mars Art Print of an original illustration by Aliette

Here comes the sun limited edition giclee print by Helen Dardik

"Hummingbirds with flowers" digital image by Mandarina Print

Bonjour monsieur print by Blancucha

Written by Pedro Vieira

TREASURY FRIDAY

This "All together now" treasury is a mix of items giving a pastel inspiring board! I could have them all!

ALL ABOUT... 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day to all of our American customers and friends. Thank you so much for your support.

1 - Patriotic United States Flag Fabric Panel by Colleen
2 - United States flag sweater by Kimberly Kay
3 - Bouquet of pinwheels by Katherine
4 - Patriotic stars and stripes fabric covered button earrings  by Kaye T
5 - Children's artwork display hanger by Shelly
6 - Blank note cards dog lovers by Alisann Abee's Mom

CREATIVE PEOPLE with DANIELA MENDONÇA

It's time to have another creative person sharing a bit more of her work and life with us. Daniela Mendonça is my country fellow and her work is very tradicional there. Welcome to KC's blog Daniel!

Who is Daniela Mendonça? Tell us a bit about yourself.

I live in Portugal in the area of Aveiro. I have a full-time job as secretary and I spend my leisure time crafting. Since ever creating and art attract me. Before creating my baskets I studied painting for seven years with a local artist. I've never had a “teacher” in craft and I like to do a lot of different things like sew, knitting, decorating, painting, etc.. I grew up in the countryside, between farm animals. I don’t have brothers and never had many toys so, me and my cousins, we played with anything that crossed our way. Basically I learned crafting with my curiosity.

What keeps you motivated?

For me crafting is a need like sleep or eat. Creating a thing is very important for my personal well being and that is my main motivation. Second it’s a dream, that I will have the possibility of living only from my creations.

Describe your work setting.

My craft-room is not a beautiful place, there are some disorder and chaos, but controlled. There are always music, raffia, sisal, my special needle to sew, scissors and my notebooks.

How is your creative process?

I take notes most of the times on my daily travels by train when I'm going to work. And after, at home, I try to create my ideas. Other times I start making my baskets without any specific idea, and while they are growing I give them the shape that I like.

My inspiration comes from nature and from all that is surrounding me. I like to see the others work, reading magazines, but most of the times the ideas come to me and I can’t explain how they happen, it's intuition maybe…

Which one of your creations do/did you most enjoy making?

Until now, my turtle basket.

Tell us the ups and downs of having your own handmade business?

I’m starting now. I have a lot of things to learn and to discover. Because I have a full time job, it's a little bit more difficult. This kind of business is an ongoing challenge that takes a lot of time and dedication. You will not become rich but it is important for your personal fulfillment.

Why buy handmade?

Buying handmade is very important because with that you are helping someone directly, economically and also giving her/him self-esteem. You are contributing directly to the happiness of someone. All crafters love what they do! You are contributing to the local development. It humanizes more the economy because we all know that many things sold around the world are made without respect for labors, human rights and the environment. Handicraft can change someone's life specially women in small communities, for example if you can't find a job.

What is your favourite inspirational quote.

“The necessity is the mother of the invention”

Future plans for Produções Coração ( Heart Productions)?

Growing!

Your favourite:

Painter -Basquiat

Material - Wood for me is the most beautiful material

Movie - I don’t remember the last time I saw one….

Thank you Daniela! All the best for you!

To find more about Daniela and her work:

Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/producoescoracao

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProduçõesCoração

TREASURY FRIDAY

Pregnancy brings strange dreams to a woman's sleep. Today I'm sharing my strangest and deepest dreams with you!

ALL ABOUT... Blue marine

The deep ocean is the motif of this inspiration board. The deep blue waters full of life and incredible stories. Let's dive in this blue sea and let's find how remarkable it is!

1 - Handmade original watercolor painting blue waves by Yao Cheng

2 - Chevron recycled decorative pillow by Irina

3 - Linen cotton dish towels by Coyawo

4 - Handmade Curried Leather Sneakers by Francesca M 

5 - Magnolia bakery open sign photograph by Emily

6 - Clutch made entirely of LEGO by Agnieszka Biernacka

ALL ABOUT... Black & White

Black & white will always be the right "colors" for the right occasion! Here's my selection for a monochrome board inspiration. I hope you enjoy it!

1 - Giant wool bunny tail by Giedra Bartas
2 - Crochet beach mini skirt by Katrin
3 - Hand painted wooden magnet by Ana
4 - Lace boot cuffs by Lenita
5 - Black &White Slingshot by Adam Gray

TREASURY FRIDAY

I wish... “one long Summer”. Yes, I do! With Spring almost gone without even having actually stated. All of my expectations are on Summer. Let's wish it to be hot and sunny with time for pic-nics and long walks.

On the "guest treasury" we are having an awesome Summer in Lemon Yellow made by one of the featured shops. I hope you enjoy this summer breeze at the blog.

*click on the collage to find the treasury with all the featuring shops

GUEST TREASURY: Lemon Yellow Summer by Pedro Vieira

ALL ABOUT... A day at the beach!

The Summer is almost there and everybody is already planning those relaxing days at the beach. I guess I won't be able to go often to the beach this year but I still can dream with it. Don't you think?

1 - Modern Beach Photography by Kimberly Blok
2 - Felted OOAK Dress by Yanina
3 - Felted summer handbag by Simona
4 - Waves personalized notebooks by Cindy Slater
5 - Hello weekend Pencils by Amanda Catherine
6 - Blue Whale Post Earrings by Piper Pixie
7 - Bridal beaded anklet by Maria